This collection presents 69 Nouns that start with W, spanning from “Wednesday” to “wrongdoing”. Many entries are common everyday words, including both concrete and abstract nouns you encounter in speech and writing. You can use this list for study, writing prompts, vocabulary practice, and editing.
Nouns that start with W are English nouns beginning with the letter W, covering people, places, things, and ideas. For example, “Wednesday” preserves a name linked to Old English Wōdnesdæg and shows how mythology shaped weekday names.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Definition, and Example.
Word: The noun itself, shown so you can scan entries and find the exact form you need quickly.
Definition: A concise one-line meaning that helps you grasp the noun’s primary sense and immediate use.
Example: A short natural sentence demonstrating common usage, so you see the noun in context.
Nouns that start with W
| Word | Plural | Definition | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| wall | walls | An upright, solid structure that encloses or divides an area. | She hung a beautiful picture on the living room wall. |
| wallet | wallets | A small, flat case, typically made of leather, for carrying money. | He couldn’t find his wallet when it was time to pay. |
| walnut | walnuts | A large, wrinkled nut from a tree, with a hard shell. | I added some crushed walnuts to the top of the salad. |
| war | wars | A state of armed conflict between different nations or groups. | The museum had an exhibit on the history of the war. |
| wardrobe | wardrobes | A person’s entire collection of clothes, or a large cupboard for clothes. | She bought a new dress to add to her summer wardrobe. |
| warehouse | warehouses | A large building where raw materials or manufactured goods are stored. | The company stores its extra inventory in a nearby warehouse. |
| warmth | uncountable | The quality or state of being warm in temperature or feeling. | She enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her face. |
| warning | warnings | A statement or event that indicates a possible danger or problem. | The sign gave a clear warning about the slippery floors. |
| warrior | warriors | A brave or experienced soldier or fighter, especially in the past. | The story was about a great warrior who saved her people. |
| wasp | wasps | A flying insect with a yellow-and-black striped body and a sting. | A wasp flew in through the open kitchen window. |
| waste | uncountable | Unwanted or unusable material, substances, or by-products. | Please put all your food waste in the green compost bin. |
| watch | watches | A small timepiece worn typically on a strap on one’s wrist. | I looked at my watch to check the time for lunch. |
| water | uncountable | A clear liquid essential for all known forms of life. | It is very important to drink enough water every day. |
| waterfall | waterfalls | A cascade of water falling from a height over a cliff. | We hiked through the forest to see the beautiful waterfall. |
| watermelon | watermelons | A large, green fruit with sweet, juicy red flesh and black seeds. | We ate cold watermelon on a hot day at the picnic. |
| wave | waves | A long body of water curling into an arch and breaking. | The surfers rode the massive waves all afternoon. |
| way | ways | A method, style, or manner of doing something to achieve a result. | There are many different ways to solve this difficult problem. |
| weakness | weaknesses | The state of being weak or a particular feature that is a disadvantage. | He identified his greatest weakness during the job interview. |
| wealth | uncountable | An abundance of valuable possessions, money, or other assets. | The book explores how to build and maintain personal wealth. |
| weapon | weapons | A thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or damage. | The soldiers were trained to use a variety of different weapons. |
| weather | uncountable | The state of the atmosphere at a place and time. | The weather forecast predicts a lot of rain for tomorrow. |
| website | websites | A set of related web pages located under a single domain name. | I found the restaurant’s menu on their official website. |
| Wednesday | Wednesdays | The day of the week between Tuesday and Thursday. | Our team meeting is scheduled for every Wednesday at ten o’clock. |
| week | weeks | A period of seven days, usually from Sunday to Saturday. | I am going on vacation for a full week next month. |
| weekend | weekends | The period from Friday evening through Sunday evening. | What are your plans for the upcoming weekend? |
| weight | weights | A body’s relative mass or the heaviness of a person or thing. | The boxer had to watch his weight before the big fight. |
| whale | whales | A very large mammal that lives in the ocean. | We went on a boat tour hoping to see a whale. |
| wheat | uncountable | A cereal plant that is the most important kind grown in temperate countries. | The fields were full of golden wheat ready for harvest. |
| wheel | wheels | A circular object that revolves on an axle to enable movement. | One of the wheels on my suitcase broke at the airport. |
| whiskey | uncountable | A strong alcoholic drink distilled from malted grain, such as barley. | He enjoyed a small glass of whiskey after his dinner. |
| whisper | whispers | A soft or confidential tone of voice; a secretly expressed rumor. | She told me the secret in a quiet whisper. |
| whistle | whistles | A small device that makes a high-pitched sound when air is blown through it. | The referee blew his whistle to end the soccer game. |
| wilderness | uncountable | An uncultivated, uninhabited, and inhospitable region. | The explorers trekked for days through the vast, empty wilderness. |
| will | uncountable | The faculty by which a person decides on and initiates action. | She has a strong will and never gives up on her goals. |
| willingness | uncountable | The quality or state of being prepared or ready to do something. | Her willingness to help others made her very popular. |
| wind | winds | The perceptible natural movement of the air. | The strong wind blew his hat right off his head. |
| window | windows | An opening in the wall of a building to admit light and air. | I love to sit by the window and watch the people outside. |
| wine | uncountable | An alcoholic drink made from fermented grape juice. | We had a bottle of red wine with our delicious steak dinner. |
| wing | wings | A modified forelimb on a bird or insect that is used for flying. | The bird spread its wings and soared into the blue sky. |
| winner | winners | A person or thing that wins something in a competition or contest. | The winner of the race received a gold medal and a prize. |
| winter | winters | The coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring. | We often go skiing in the mountains during the winter. |
| wire | wires | Metal drawn out into the form of a thin, flexible thread. | The electrician connected the red wire to the correct terminal. |
| wisdom | uncountable | The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. | The old woman was known for her kindness and great wisdom. |
| wish | wishes | A desire or hope for something to happen. | He made a silent wish before blowing out his birthday candles. |
| witch | witches | A woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones. | The story featured a wicked witch who lived in the forest. |
| witness | witnesses | A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place. | The police are looking for a witness to the bank robbery. |
| wizard | wizards | A man who has magical powers, especially in legends and fairy tales. | The young wizard learned to cast powerful spells at his school. |
| wolf | wolves | A wild carnivorous mammal that is the largest member of the dog family. | A lone wolf howled at the full moon in the distance. |
| woman | women | An adult female human being. | The first woman to fly in space was Valentina Tereshkova. |
| wonder | wonders | A feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful. | She looked at the Grand Canyon with a sense of awe and wonder. |
| wood | woods | The hard fibrous material forming the main substance of a tree. | The table was made of dark, polished wood. |
| wool | uncountable | The fine, soft, curly hair forming the fleece of a sheep or goat. | My warmest sweater is made of 100% natural wool. |
| word | words | A single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing. | Can you please spell that difficult word for me again? |
| work | uncountable | Activity involving mental or physical effort to achieve a result. | I have a lot of work to do before the end of the day. |
| worker | workers | A person who does a specified type of work or who works in a specified way. | The factory workers went on strike to demand better pay. |
| workforce | workforces | The people engaged in or available for work in a country or area. | The company is planning to expand its workforce next year. |
| workshop | workshops | A room where things are made or repaired; a meeting for discussion. | He spent the weekend in his workshop building a new chair. |
| world | worlds | The earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features. | Traveling allows you to see many different parts of the world. |
| worm | worms | A long, thin, soft-bodied invertebrate animal with no limbs. | After the rain, we could see worms all over the sidewalk. |
| worry | worries | A state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems. | His biggest worry was that he would miss his connecting flight. |
| worshipper | worshippers | A person who shows reverence and adoration for a deity. | The worshippers gathered at the temple for the morning prayer. |
| worth | uncountable | The level at which someone or something deserves to be valued or rated. | He slowly began to realize his own worth and self-respect. |
| wound | wounds | An injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact. | The nurse carefully cleaned and bandaged the deep wound. |
| wreck | wrecks | The destruction of a ship at sea; a shipwreck. | Divers explored the wreck of the old pirate ship. |
| wrench | wrenches | A tool used for gripping and turning nuts, bolts, or pipes. | He used a wrench to tighten the loose bolts on the bike. |
| writer | writers | A person who has written a particular text, or who writes books as a job. | The writer is famous for her series of detective novels. |
| writing | uncountable | The activity or skill of marking coherent words on paper or a screen. | Her creative writing skills improved a lot during the class. |
| wrist | wrists | The joint connecting the hand with the forearm. | She wore a beautiful silver bracelet on her left wrist. |
| wrongdoing | uncountable | Illegal or dishonest behavior or action. | The company investigated the allegations of financial wrongdoing. |
Descriptions
wall
Walls can be interior or exterior. Common phrases include “a hole in the wall” (a small, obscure place) and “hitting a wall” (reaching a barrier).
wallet
A wallet usually holds cash, credit cards, and identification. It’s a common item to lose, so many people say “check your wallet!”
walnut
Walnuts are a popular ingredient in baking, especially in brownies and cakes. The wood from the walnut tree is also highly valued for furniture.
war
War is a serious topic, often described with adjectives like “civil,” “world,” or “cold.” The opposite of war is peace.
wardrobe
The term can refer to the physical furniture or the abstract concept of one’s clothing. A “capsule wardrobe” is a small collection of essential items.
warehouse
Warehouses are central to logistics and shipping. They are often located in industrial parks on the outskirts of cities.
warmth
Beyond temperature, warmth can describe a feeling of comfort, affection, or kindness, like “the warmth of her smile.”
warning
Warnings can be verbal (“a word of warning”) or visual (a warning label). The goal is to prevent harm or mistakes.
warrior
This word has a historical or epic feel, often used in stories, games, and myths. It implies great courage and skill in combat.
wasp
Unlike bees, which can often only sting once, some wasps can sting multiple times. People often get them confused with hornets.
waste
This term can also mean an unnecessary use of something, as in “a waste of time” or “a waste of money.”
watch
Common types include digital and analog watches. A “smartwatch” is a modern version that connects to a smartphone.
water
While usually uncountable, “waters” can refer to a specific body of water, like “the territorial waters of a country.”
waterfall
Waterfalls are major tourist attractions. Some of the most famous include Niagara Falls and Victoria Falls.
watermelon
Watermelon is a classic summer fruit, known for its high water content, which makes it very refreshing.
wave
Wave can also mean a gesture with the hand or a sudden occurrence of something, like “a heat wave” or “a wave of panic.”
way
This is a very versatile word. It can also refer to a path or route, as in “Can you show me the way to the station?”
weakness
Weakness is the opposite of strength. In stories, a hero’s “fatal flaw” or weakness is often called an Achilles’ heel.
wealth
Wealth isn’t just about money; it can also refer to an abundance of something desirable, like “a wealth of information.”
weapon
Weapons can range from simple clubs to complex modern firearms. The word is also used metaphorically, as in “words can be weapons.”
weather
Common questions include “What’s the weather like?” People often make small talk about the weather, especially in the UK.
website
Every modern business needs a website. We use them for information, shopping, entertainment, and communication.
Wednesday
As a proper noun, it’s always capitalized. It’s sometimes informally called “hump day” because it’s the middle of the work week.
week
A “work week” or “business week” typically refers to the five days from Monday to Friday.
weekend
The weekend is typically a time for rest, recreation, and spending time with family and friends.
weight
This word can also refer to heavy objects lifted for exercise. Metaphorically, a “weight off your shoulders” means a relief from a burden.
whale
The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth. Whale watching is a popular tourist activity in many coastal areas.
wheat
Wheat is ground into flour to make bread, pasta, and many other foods. It’s a staple crop for a large part of the world’s population.
wheel
The invention of the wheel was a major turning point in human history. The “steering wheel” is used to control a car.
whiskey
Also spelled “whisky” (especially in Scotland and Canada), this spirit is aged in wooden barrels, which gives it its color and flavor.
whisper
As a noun, it describes the sound or the words spoken. It’s often associated with secrets, gossip, or quiet environments like a library.
whistle
The sound itself is also called a whistle. Many people can also whistle using just their lips.
wilderness
This word evokes images of untouched nature, far from cities and civilization. It suggests a place that is wild and beautiful but also potentially dangerous.
will
Will can also be a legal document stating who receives your property after you die, as in “last will and testament.”
willingness
This noun is formed from the adjective “willing.” It expresses a positive attitude toward taking on a task or offering assistance.
wind
Wind can be a gentle “breeze” or a powerful “gale.” Wind power is a key source of renewable energy.
window
Common types include “sash,” “casement,” and “sliding” windows. Metaphorically, something can be “a window into” another world.
wine
Major types include red, white, and rosé. The study and making of wine is known as oenology.
wing
This word also refers to the part of an airplane that provides lift. In a building, a “wing” is a distinct section.
winner
The opposite is “loser.” The phrase “winner-takes-all” describes a situation where the victor gets everything.
winter
Winter is associated with snow, cold weather, and holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Eve in many cultures.
wire
Wires are used to carry electricity or telecommunication signals. A “wireless” connection, like Wi-Fi, does not use them.
wisdom
Wisdom is considered a virtue. A “pearl of wisdom” is a single, valuable piece of advice.
wish
Wishes are often associated with magic or special occasions, like wishing on a star. “Best wishes” is a common way to end a letter.
witch
Witches are common characters in folklore and fantasy. Today, some people practice a modern religion called Wicca.
witness
In a legal context, a witness gives testimony in court. To “bear witness” means to show that something exists or is true.
wizard
Wizards like Merlin and Gandalf are famous figures in literature. The term is also used for someone who is very skilled at something (“a computer wizard”).
wolf
Wolves typically live and hunt in groups called packs. The “alpha wolf” is the leader of the pack.
woman
The plural form, “women,” is pronounced differently from the singular. International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th.
wonder
Wonder can also refer to a marvelous thing, like the “Seven Wonders of the World.” It can also mean a feeling of doubt.
wood
Wood is typically an uncountable material. The plural “woods” refers to a forest or an area with many trees.
wool
Wool is a popular material for winter clothing because it is an excellent insulator.
word
The basic unit of language. Idioms like “a man of his word” (trustworthy) or “word of mouth” (informal recommendation) are common.
work
Usually uncountable, but “works” can mean a factory, or the collected writings/art of an author/artist. “A work of art” is a single item.
worker
This is a general term for anyone who is employed. Common types include “office worker,” “construction worker,” and “social worker.”
workforce
This collective noun refers to all the employees of a company or all the available workers in a region.
workshop
A workshop can also be an educational seminar or a hands-on class where participants learn a skill, like a “writing workshop.”
world
World can also be used figuratively to describe a particular domain, such as “the world of finance” or “the animal world.”
worm
Worms play a crucial role in soil health. A “bookworm” is a person who loves to read.
worry
Worry can be an uncountable state (“a life full of worry”) or a countable specific problem (“I have many worries”).
worshipper
This noun is associated with religious practice. People can worship in a church, mosque, synagogue, temple, or other sacred place.
worth
Worth often relates to value, either monetary (“the worth of the painting”) or personal (“a sense of self-worth”).
wound
Wounds can be physical or emotional. To “rub salt in the wound” means to make a bad situation even worse.
wreck
A “wreck” can also refer to a badly damaged car after an accident or, informally, a person who is in a very bad physical or emotional state.
wrench
In British English, this tool is more commonly called a “spanner.” It can also be a verb meaning to pull or twist suddenly.
writer
This term applies to anyone who writes, from novelists and poets to journalists and bloggers.
writing
This can refer to the act itself or the product, such as “a piece of writing.” It’s a fundamental skill in education and communication.
wrist
The wrist allows the hand to move. Common injuries include a sprained or broken wrist.
wrongdoing
This is a formal word for any kind of bad or unethical behavior. It covers everything from minor misdeeds to serious crimes.